Photo courtesy of wcupagoldenrams.com
The Golden Rams went to Ursinus College this past weekend to take on Ursinus College and Ithaca College. The Golden Rams swept the competition in the team, vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around competition with a stellar performance. The Golden Rams started on the balance beam, which is a tough event to start on — but it is the best event for the Golden Rams, and it certainly was this past weekend. The team went six for six on the event which means that all six routines were made, so only high scores were counted. Fourth year Sarah Boyd won the balance beam with a beautiful 9.825, followed by third year Yoli Nodarse in second place with a 9.750. Fourth year Jordan Miranda took third place on the balance beam with a 9.725.
Moving onto the floor exercise, the Golden Rams had a stellar performance. Some highlights included first year Kiah Johnson scoring a 9.575 and third year Rose Fanara scoring a 9.675. As for placing on the event, second year McKenna Kissinger placed second on the event with a 9.725, and third year Jessica Meakim won the floor exercise with a 9.825.
On the vault, the Golden Rams continued their momentum. Second year Annie Bailey led off the event with a beautiful Yurchenko layout. Following her, second-year students Brashlyn Johnson and Kissinger scored a solid 9.525, placing themselves third in the event. Meakim scored a 9.625, placing second in the event, and Kiah Johnson took first place on the vault with an incredible Yurchenko, scoring a 9.775.
The WCU Gymnastics team finished up on the uneven bars. A tough event to end on, but they handled it well: first year Sammie Gill had a solid 9.50 on the uneven bars. Following her, Meakim placed third in the event with a 9.650. First year Samantha Kelly took second place on the event with a 9.675, and Wojewoda took first place in the event with a beautiful 9.725 routine.
When asked about how the team was looking and what it was like to be a senior on the team, fourth year Paige Parsnik stated, “I think the team looks great right now. You know we have people fighting to come back, but I think that pushes and motivates others. Everyone is always fighting to stay healthy but always manage to find their way. Being a senior on the team and knowing what a great start we had sets us up for greatness. We have so much potential and so much talent on every event. I am excited to see what we can accomplish the rest of this season.” When asked about her thoughts about the upcoming home meet, Parsnik said, “I am so pumped for our first home meet! It’s always nice having that home field advantage where you know your equipment. I think we can really do well this weekend if we all come together and trust our training and each other.”
Meakim also finished first in the all-around with a 38.775, which also earned her ECAC Gymnast of the week. The Golden Rams will be at home on Feb. 1 to take on Springfield College and Rhode Island College.
The West Chester University Gymnastics team is supporting mental health and more specifically suicide prevention awareness all year long. The girls recognize that it is okay to not be okay, and you are never alone. They hope to flip the stigma all year long. Come join them in Sturzebecker Health Science Center Gym #6 Feb. 1 & 8 at 1 p.m.
Jessica Meakim is a third-year business management and international business major with a Spanish minor. JM883960@wcupa.edu.